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Chelsea Fans Disrupt Minute's Applause For Ukraine With Roman Abramovich Chant

Chelsea fans disrupted a minute's applause set up to pay tribute to the people of Ukraine by chanting the name of their Roman Abramovich at Burnley.

Robert Summerscales

Chelsea Fans Disrupt Minute's Applause For Ukraine With Roman Abramovich Chant
Chelsea Fans Disrupt Minute's Applause For Ukraine With Roman Abramovich Chant /

A minute's applause was held at Turf Moor on Saturday as Burnley and Chelsea supporters were encouraged to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

The tribute came 10 days after Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of Ukraine, which has subsequently been targeted by air strikes.

During the tribute ahead of kick-off in the Premier League match, a group of Chelsea fans were heard chanting the name of Roman Abramovich.

This disruption was met with angry boos from fans around the stadium.

All 22 starting players were gathered around the center circle while the applause took place.

The message "FOOTBALL STANDS TOGETHER" was displayed on Turf Moor's giant screen in front of a blue and yellow background.

Meanwhile, both captains wore an armband displaying the colors of Ukraine's national flag.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was asked about the pro-Abramovich chants after the game.

"It's not the moment to do this," Tuchel replied, as reported by Eurosport. "Listen, if we show solidarity, we show solidarity and we should do it together.

"We take the knee together and if an important person from our club or another club unfortunately dies, we show a minute of respect. It's not the moment to give other messages. It's the moment to show respect.

"We do this because this is what we are as a club. We show respect as a club and we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause. At this moment, we do it for Ukraine and there is no second opinion about the situation there. They have our thoughts and our support.

“We should stand together as a club. It's not the moment for other messages."

This was the second game in four days at which Chelsea fans had sung "Roman Abramovich, Roman Abramovich", having also done so at Wednesday's 3-2 win at Luton Town.

Burnley and Chelsea players join fans in showing solidarity with the people of Ukraine ahead of their game at Turf Moor in March 2022
Burnley and Chelsea players joined fans in showing solidarity with the people of Ukraine :: IMAGO/Martin Rickett

Russian Abramovich has been Chelsea's owner since 2003 but he announced his intention to sell on Wednesday via a statement published on the club's official website.

In the statement Abramovich said that he "will not be asking for any loans to be repaid" to him by Chelsea. He also vowed to pass on "all net proceeds" from the sale to a new charitable foundation to help "all victims of the war in Ukraine".

This was the first time that Abramovich had publicly addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Abramovich has come under scrutiny from UK politicians for his alleged links to Putin.

Labour MP Chris Bryant revealed in parliament last month that Abramovich had been flagged as a person of interest by the UK's Home Office three years ago due to alleged links to the Russian state.

"I've got hold of a leaked document from 2019, from the Home Office, which says in relation to Mr Abramovich: 'As part of HMG's [Her Majesty's government] Russia strategy aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices,'" Bryant told the House of Commons.

Bryant went on to allege that Abramovich had previously admitted to paying for "political influence", before suggesting that the Russian should have some of his assets seized and should not be allowed to own Chelsea FC.

Abramovich denies having links to Putin's regime but it is understood that his motivation for selling Chelsea swiftly may be to avoid any sanctions that could be imposed upon him.

The UK government has already imposed financial sanctions upon multiple individuals due to their links to the Russian state.

Muhsin Bayrak and Hansjorg Wyss have both emerged as potential buyers for Chelsea.

On the pitch, Chelsea beat Burnley 4-0 with Reece James scoring one goal and assisting another.

READ MORE: Muhsin Bayrak Plans To Buy Chelsea From Roman Abramovich & "Fly The Turkish Flag In London"

Published
Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.